THE Motherwell boss says Pressley has learned the important leadership skills from legends such as Richard Gough and John Brown.

STUART McCALL last night insisted his former Rangers team-mate Steven Pressley would be an ideal appointment for Dundee United.

The Motherwell boss revealed that Pressley, who played at Ibrox from 1990 to 1994, learned how to become a leader of men by moulding himself on the likes of Gers defensive legends Richard Gough and John Brown.

The Falkirk gaffer has been installed as the bookies’ favourite to succeed Peter Houston in the Tannadice hotseat after he quit United yesterday.

Pressley faces stiff competition from Partick Thistle manager Jackie McNamara to land the post but McCall has long been an admirer of Pressley and what he’s done with the Bairns.

He said: “All the managers in the frame for the United job are good candidates.

“Steven Pressley was a captain as a player and he’s a leader. He would be a popular choice. I played with Steven at Ibrox and he got thrown in at the deep end for Rangers in the Champions League. He then left when he was still young to go to Coventry.

“Steven has a good pedigree and knows the Scottish game because he has played for Rangers, Dundee United, Hearts and Celtic.

“As a youngster he moulded himself on Richard Gough. He learned leadership from the likes of Goughy and John Brown at Rangers.

“Steven was a good listener and a great kid and I’ve spoken to him many times since I’ve been back up.

“But he’s not shy of a comment and says what he believes, whether it be league reconstruction, youth players or Scotland. He’s a deep thinker.

“Steven has brought a lot of decent youngsters through at Falkirk including Kallum Higginbotham who is now on loan here at Motherwell.

“That kind of grounding will stand him in good stead if he does become the new manager of Dundee United.”

But McCall hopes Arabs chairman Stephen Thompson hangs fire on making any announcement on a new manager until after tonight.

He said: “When any new manager comes in it gives players a lift, so I was relieved to hear Paul Hegarty will take temporary control.”

And Well defender Tom Hateley also reckons United will be bidding to impress any new potential boss.

He said: “They’ll be up for it and looking to impress whoever might come in, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they came out all guns blazing.”